The hiring process is much like the draft process -- find your Michael Jordan

The NBA draft was last night and teams selected young players to help contribute both immediately and into the future. The draft is a building process where successful teams, drafting near the bottom, look for players to help continue that success, and teams lacking success draft at the top to try and level the playing field by getting top-notch players.

Unlike years before, the draft was deemed "weaker" than usual, which was even further highlighted by a stunning 1st overall pick, when the Cleveland Cavaliers selected Anthony Bennett. This year's draft was a prime example of how important the research, interview, and workout process was for teams, as it would be easier to draft a bust than a stud. This is something that can apply to businesses going through the hiring process as well.

Not every business is going to have the luxury of running into a slam-dunk, Lebron James-type candidate in the interview process. Not all candidates, whether for a business or a sports team, are created equal, so it's important to keep that in mind as you sit down and start to plot your process.

Plotting the process is almost as important as executing the actual process. Much like the NBA teams highlighting their position and skill needs before the draft, businesses need to highlight their candidate attribute needs and create a model of an ideal candidate. As the Comcast Business Library article, Finding and Hiring the 'A' Players, states, by understanding the performance and behaviors you are looking for, identifying the best candidates will be easier. The article also stresses the importance of not trapping yourself within preconceived notions.

When preparing for the draft, the NBA teams didn't stop short at player interviews, to get a sense of their playing resume and behavior traits, they also work the players out on the court. To get a further sense of the type of candidate a business is working with, having some kind of valid, objective assessment for the candidate to complete helps to paint a clearer picture. Something that allows you to examine immediate performance and potential is optimal. The interview process isn't just a discussion, but a performance. Your candidates may not be physically sweating, but you want them to do so mentally.

Hiring a new employee can either keep you stagnant or better equip you to compete with larger competitors and become more successful. The better prepared for the process you are, the more likely you end up with a Michael Jordan than a Sam Bowie.